Mandrel feeding apparatus



June 26, 1934. A. P. DIESCHER MANDREL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR M Y-M ATTORNEYS June 26, 1934.

A. P. DIESCHER 1,964,507

MANDREL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTO/T/VE Y5 June 1934- A. P. DIESCHER MANDREL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 26, 1933 3 Shee?=-Sheet Patented June 26; 1934 1,964,501 MANDREL FEEDING afranaros August 2. Diesclier, Pittsburgh, Pa, alaignor to Diescher Tube Mills, Inc Pittsburgh, Pa, a co p ration of Delaware I Application January 26, 1933, Serial No. 653,625

a 18 Claims."

My invention relates to apparatus for treating tubes upon a mandrel by means of cross-rolls, and particularly to apparatus for feeding the tubes and mandrels to the cross-rolls.

The subject matter of the present invention is closely related to and is an improvement upon that of my copending application Serial No. 602,- 145, filed March 31, 1932, improvement in Tube making apparatus.

In the operation of making tubes in the manner described in my copending application referred to above it is highly desirable that the apparatus employed be simple and rugged, and that the number of operations be minimized in order that the time required for the completion of each tube may be correspondingly shortened.

It is necessary in feeding tubular blanks with mandrels threaded therethrough to insure that the blank and the mandrel enter the elongator comprising cross-rolls in an approximately predetermined relation. The tapered or pointed end of the mandrel must extend beyond the forward end of the blank in order that the latter may enclose a portion of the mandrel that is of full diameter when the blank enters the cross-rolls.-

At times there will be sufiicient clearance between the blank and the'mandrel that their initial relative positions may change while they are being fed to the elongator unless special means are provided for insuring their simultaneous movements.

In accordance .with the present invention I provide a feed table in alignment with the elongator and which is adapted to receive a tubular blank witha mandrel that has been threaded therethrough at a previous stage in the operation. The step of threading the mandrel through the tubular blank constitutes no part of the present invention, and it may therefore be assumed that such operation has already occurred.

In order that there may be no delay in engaging the blank and the mandrel to feed them to the cross-rolls, I provide pivotally mounted arms adjacent the feed table which move upwardly therefrom to permit the blank and mandrel to be received upon the feed table, and which move downwardly toward the feed table adjacent to the mandrel in the rear of the blank and the arms operate to retain them on the feed table during their subsequent movements' These pivoted arms are carried by a member reciprocable longitudinally of the table and they engage the trailing ends of the blank and the mandrel at substantially the proper distance apart to insure that the mandrel projects a suiiicient distance end of the blank.

beyond the forward Suitable stop membershave also been provided for insuring that the forward end of the mandrel projects beyond the blank for purposes to be set forth below.

The arms which have engaged the trailing ends of the blank and mandrel then actuate them endwise into the elongator, the other arms operating with a relatively small clearance to retain the mandrel and the blank thereon on the feed table to prevent them from moving laterally or whipping during their rotation by the cross-rolls.

while they are passing through the elongator.

- The arms render unnecessary the use of covers heretofore employed and which have obscured the view of the operator. The use of the spaced arms enables the operator to have a clear view of the movements of the tubular blank and the rearwardly projecting part of the mandrel therein as they travel into the cross-roll pass.

The details of my invention will be described in 75 connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of an elongator and associated feeding apparatus constructed in accordance with myinvention, parts being broken away and parts being shown in 30 section; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 1III ofFig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of x the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of portions of a blank and a mandrel in positions against stop members, parts being broken away; Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 included within the line V-s-V, parts being broken "away; Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line VI-VI of Fig;

1; Fig. '7 is an enlarged section taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 included within the line VIII-VIII, parts being shown in section; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a. portion of the apparatus of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detailed view partially in plan and partially in section of an end portion of one of the retaining arms of the 'feeding mechanism: Fig.

11 is a side elevation of the arm of Fig. 10

in position to retain a mandrel upon the feed table; Fig. 12 is a plan of a portion of the arm for pushing the mandrel and certain of its associated parts; Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the arm of Fig. 12 illustrating it in position to engage the end of the mandrel; and Figs. 44, 15, 1e and 1"! are views corresponding to Fig. 1 illustrating the tubular blank and the mandrel therefor in progressive positions during the ie of operation. I

Referring to t e drawings, the apparatus of my invention comprises a feed table 1' arranged and a mandrel 6 maybe received to be fed to an elbngator 7, the details of which constitute no part of the present invention. The elongator 7 comprises two cross-rolls 8 for reducing the wall thickness of material supplied thereto and two guide disks 9 for guiding and elongating the material while it is being operated upon by the cross-rolls 8. The blank and the mandrel 6 may be transferred by means-of. suitable skids or. inclined bars 10 to the feed table 1 which is provided with inclined projections or stops 11 adjacent each of the rollers 4 for the purpose of insuring that the velocity gained in rolling down the skids 10 does not carry theblank and the mandrel beyond the table rollers.

Adjacent the feed table 1 is a rotatable and reciprocable bar 12 provided with notches 13 along one side thereof and within certain of which is' suitably keyed a series of arms 14 sleeved on the bar, and which are thus mounted for oscillation and reciprocation with said bar. The arms 14 extend adjacent to the rollers 4 and 'are provided with rearward projections which extend between two angle bars 15 that may be moved upwardly or downwardly as desired to control the positions of the arms 14 and parts connected thereto. The vertical positions of the angle bars 15 are controlled by meansof two vertical posts or uprights 16 and 17. The post 16 is connected to piston 18 of a fluid pressure cylinder 12. Each of the posts is provided with rack teeth 20, and the posts are connected for simultaneous vertical movements by means of gears 21 coacting with the teeth and a shaft 22 for connecting the gears.

The reciprocable rocking bar 12 is supported by twocrossheads 23 that are mounted for reciprocation in the guideway 24. The bar 12 is actuated longitudinally by means of a fluid pressure cylinder 25 that is connected to the adjacent crosshead 23. L

By reference to Figs. 2, 6 and 7, it will be noted that the two sections 2 and 3 of the feed table 1 are each mounted upon two pairs of jacks 27. The jacks at the respective ends of each section are connected by means of a coupling rod 28 whereby all of the jacks of that section may be operated simultaneously from a single point.

At the forward end of the feed table 1 is located a stop mechanism comprising a removable or dis-' appearing stop 30, the upper surface of which is provided with a curved notch that is of suflicient size to permit a mandrel to pass therethrough, but which limits the forward movement of the hollow blank. A second stop 31 beyond the stop 80 is arranged to obstruct-further forward movement of the mandrel when the latter engages it.

. The stop 31 is also of the disappearing type. the

stops 30 and 31 being simultaneously controlled by means of a fluid pressure cylinder 32 having a piston 33 connected to the stops.

As best shown in 1"igs..7, 8 and Q, the vertical movements of the post 16 by the piston 18 are I cushioned by two pairs of springs 35 and 36. A relatively light spring 35 and a relatively heavy spring 36 are mounted on each of two rods 37 each of which is connected .to a horizontal arm 38 connected to the post 16. In the positions of the parts illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, the springs 36 are under compression while the springs 35 are not under stress. r

aceasov A flat member 32 integral with a stationary frame 40 constitutes an abutment for each of the springs 35 and 36 on each rod 37. The rods 37 extend through openings in the member 39. The lower end of each spring 36 is retained by nuts 41 which are preferably adjustable on the rods 37.

The upward movement of the post 16 is limited by an adjustable stop member 42 that engages the top of the post 16. The stop member 42 thus determines the lowermost position of the arms 14 and may be adjusted in accordance with the dimensions of the blank and the mandrel to be engaged by the arms. r

The length of the downward movement of the post 16 may be adjusted by means of nuts 43, the position of the latter upon'the rods 37 determining the point during the downward movement of the arms 38 and rods 37 at which the nuts 43 engage washers 47 on the upper ends of the springs 35 and loosely surrounding the rods 37. It will be noted that lowering the nuts 43 on the rods 37 causes their earlier engagement and earlier compression of the springs 35 to shorten the downward movement of the posts 16 and 17. The upward movement of the pivoted arms 14 is correspondingly shortened. Raising of the nuts .43 on the rods 37 increases the range of downward movement of the arms 38 and the posts 16 and 17, and causesthearms 14toberaisedtoacorre-1Q5 spondlngly greater distance above the feed table 1.

The positions'and spacing of the arms 14 along the horizontal notched bar 12 may be varied as desired by removing the keys 44 and sliding the arms horizontally to new positions and then inserting the keys. Such adjustment maybe made to adapt the arms 14 for use in connection with mandrels and blanks of different lengths.

In the operation of the apparatus of my invention it may be assumed that a heated tubular blank 5 having a mandrel 6 previously threaded therethrough is conveyed by the skids 10 to the feed table 1'. The bar 12 and arms 14 are then in their retracted positions and the arms 14 are in their raised positions to permit the passage of the mandrel thereunder, and the blank and man,- drel cometo rest upon the rollers 4, the sections 2 and 3 being adjusted for different heights, as shown in Pig. 2. The various parts are at this time in substantially the positions in which they are illustrated in Fig. 14.

The arms 14 are then lowered into operative position by means of the cylinder 19 and the vertical post 16, which together with the rack and gear mechanism and the post 17 control the ver- 180 tical positions of the angle bars 15 and the corresponding positions of the arms 14. The foremost arm, as shown in Fig. 11, is provided with a curved shoe 45 that is in position upon forward movement thereof to engage the trailing end of theblank5. Thet garm,as'showninl"ig. 13, is provided with a longer shoe 46 that is in position upon forward movement thereof to engagethe trailing end of the mandrel 6. The other arms 14 are each provided with a curved shoe 45 which is closely adjacent to the mandrel.

Mandrels of uniform length are employed. but it will be appreciated that the blanks may vary in length, the maximum variation under normal conditions being, for example, about two inches. The distance between the forward shoe 45 and'the shoe 46 is adjusted for blanks of approximately the average length to provide that the mandrel will project beyond the forward end of the blank about a predetermined distance 1,904,507 when these shoes are in engagement with the trailing ends of the blank and the mandrel.

when fluid under pressure is suppliedto the cylinder 25 the bar 12 and the arms 14 move forwardly until either the shoe '45 engages the blank or the shoe 46 engages the mandrel, depending upon the relative positions of their'trailing ends. If the trailing ends of the blankand the mandrel are farther apart than the respective shoes 45 and 46 for engaging-them, the shoe 46 will first engage the mandrel, and if the latter is suillciently loose in the blank, it will be moved forward in the blank untilthe trailing end of the latter is engaged by the .shoe 45. There will be no change in relative position when one or both of the stops 30 or 31 are engaged.

If, however, the mandrel is tight in the blank, the shoe 46 will actuateboth the mandrel and the blank forwardly until the blank engages the stop 30. Further forward movement of the arms 14 will cause the mandrel to be pushed forward in the blank until either it engages the stop 31 or the forward shoe 45 engages the blank, as the case may be, according as the length of the blank is lessor greater than that for which the shoes are adjusted.

If initially the mandrel is so advanced in the blank that the blank is engaged by its shoe 45 before'the shoe 46 engages the mandrel, it is probable that the mandrel will be carried forward by the blank regardless of the looseness of the fit therebetween until the mandrel strikes the stop 31. Further forward movement of the arms 14 causes the blank to move forward until either it strikes the stop 30 or the shoe 46 engages the mandrel, as the case may be, according as the blank is longer or shorter than that for which the arms 14 are adjusted. I

It will be appreciated that if the lengths of the blanks were uniform, the spacing of the forward shoe 45 and the shoe 46 could be so adjusted that they would be in engagement with the trailing ends of the blank and the mandrel, respectively,

when the forward ends of the blank and the mandrel engage their respective stops. However, any variations in length of theivarious blanks from that for which the arms 14 are adjusted will prevent these simultaneous engagements of both the forward and the trailing ends of the blank and the mandrel.

These variations will not, unless abnormal, cause the adjusted relative positions of the forward ends of the blank and the mandrel to differ to a serious degree since the stops are spaced, for example, about one foot, while the variations in length do not ordinarily exceed two inches. The provision of the spaced stops 30 and 31 insures that under normal conditions the forward ends of the blank and the mandrel have approximately the relative positions they occupy in Fig. 15 when they are in position to be fed into the cross-rolls.

The cylinder 32 will then be operated. to lower the stops 30 and 31 within the recesses within which they operate, and the cylinder 25 then actuates the bar 12 and the arms 14 attached thereto to push the blank and the mandrel through a hollo'w guide 47 that is aligned with the pass of the remain stationary in'their foremost posi til the mandrel and'blank have positionsin which whipping action no longer occurs, wheres upon the actuating mechanism may be withdrawn andthe arms l4'raised in preparation for the receipt of a tubular blank with its mandrel threaded therethrough. During the re-Q ciprocation of the bar 12 and the attached arms. 14, the rearwardly projecting portions of the ter slide between the angle bars 15.

It will be noted that separate and independent means have been provided for respectively rocking the arms 14 and for moving them along table. The means for rocking the arms or controlling their angular positions comprises the cylinder 19, post 16 and rack and pinion mechanisms for adjusting the heights of angle bars 15. The means for actuating the arms 14 longitudinally of the table comprises the cylinder 25 and its connected parts.

By reason of the provision of separate and independent actuating means as stated above, the arms 14 may be raised during their return movement from the cross-rolls to permit a succeeding tubular blank and mandrel tobe supplied to the feed table simultaneously with such movement.

Thus the operation of the mill is expedited by causing the tubular blanks to follow each other in relatively rapid succession.

Suceeding operations are substantially similar to those described above, and the apparatus may operate'to treat tubes at a rapid rate by reason of the elimination of delays caused by relatively actuating devices for engaging the tubular blank to feed it to the cross-rolls.

In the operation of the apparatus of the present application it is only necessary to move the pivoted arms 14 through a relatively short distance whereupon the blank and the mandrel may almost immediately be actuated toward the elongator with a very considerable saving in time.

The same means for feeding the blank and the mandrel to the cross-rolls operate to retain the blank and mandrel on the feed table and to prevent whipping during their rotation by the crossrolls. Separate cover deviceswhlch have heretofore obstructed the view of the operator are therefore not necessary. I

The spacing of the arms along the supporting bar may be adjusted in accordance with the relative lengths and positions of the blank and the mandrel to be fed into the elongator. v

The arrangement ohthe spacedstops insures that the mandrel projects a sufficient distance through the forward end of the tubular blank to prevent deformation when the blank enters the cross-rolls. This distance is also limited in order that mandreis of increased length may not be required.

. While I have shown and described various power devices and mechanisms for performing certain functions in the operation of the apparatus of my invention, it is understood that other and equivalent devices and mechanisms may be substituted therefor without departing from the spirit of my invention.

' The foregoing and other advantages will be III appreciated by those skilled in the artrelating to the construction and operation of elongating apparatus.

I claim: i

1. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a tube and mandrel sup-' port, and means transversely movable relative to said support for receiving a tube and mandrel on said support and for retaining them thereon, said means being movable longitudinally and adapted to simultaneously engage the ends of said tube and said mandrel when the latter are in predetermined relative positions for feeding said tube and said mandrel into said cross-rolls.

2. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for said cross-rolls, feeding means cooperating with said table and comprising a plurality of engaging surfaces spaced longitudinally of said table and movable transversely of said feed table for receiving a tube and mandrel thereon and for simultaneously engaging said tube and mandrel when the latter are in predetermined relative positions upon said feed table. and means for actuating said engaging surfaces longitudinally of said feed table to feed said tube and said mandrel into said cross-rolls.

3. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, and means having a predetermined spacing longitudinally of said table and movable transversely of said feed table for simultaneously engaging said tube and said mandrel for retaining them on said feed table and movable also longitudinally of said feed table for feeding said tube and said mandrel into said cross-Tolls.

4. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, and means movable transversely of said feed table for engaging and retaining said tube and said'mandrel on said feed tableand movable also longitudinally of said feed table for feeding said tube and said mandrel into said cross-rolls, said means comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted arms one of which engages an end of said tube and another of which engages an end of said mandrel for pushing them into said cross-rolls.

5. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, and means movable transversely of said feed table for engaging and retaining said tube and said mandrel on said table and movable also longitudinally of said feed table for feeding said tube and said mandrel into said cross-rolls, said means comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted arms one of which engages an end of said tube and another of which engages an end of said mandrel for pushing them into said cross-rolls, and certain other of said arms restricting lateral movements of said tube and said mandrel during treatpositions, means for moving said members out-' wardly from and inwardly toward said table to re-' spectively receive a tube and a mandrel upon said table and to engage and retain said tube and said mandrel on said table, and means for moving said members longitudinally of said table to feed said tube and said mandrel into said cross-rolls.

'7. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, means for separately engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel to actuate thenttoward said cross-rolls, and spaced removable stop members adjacent said cross-rolls for insuring a limited forward extension of said mandrel beyond said tube. 1

8. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls,'comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, members movable with each other for respectively engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel to actuate them toward said cross-rolls, and means for determining the relative positions of said tube and said mandrel prior to their entering the cross-rolls.

9. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon amandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel threaded therethrough, members movable with each other for respectively engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel to actuate them toward said cross-rolls, and means for determining the relative positions of said tube and said mandrel prior to their entering the cross-rolls, said means comprising a 3 removable stop member for engaging the forward end of said tube but permitting said mandrel to extend in advance thereof and a second removable stop member for engaging the forward end of said mandrel.

10. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a mandrel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table for receiving a tube and a mandrel, and means for actuating said tube and said mandrel simultaneously into said cross-rolls, said means comprising a reciprocable member and a plurality of oscillatable arms connected thereto at adjustably spaced intervals therealong for engaging said tube and said mandrel.

11. Apparatus for feeding a tube upon a man drel to cross-rolls, comprising a feed table therefor including a series of grooved rollers for receiving a tube and a mandrel therefor, a series of pivoted 5 arms spaced longitudinally of said table and movable upwardly from positions adjacent said feed table while said tube and said mandrel are received thereby and said arms being movable downwardly into position to engage and retain said mandrel and said tube" on said rollers, and means for moving said arms toward said crossrolls to feed said mandrel and said tube thereto, said arms remaining stationary to retain said mandrel and said tube in alignment on said feed table while they are rotated and drawn longitudinally by said cross-rolls to treat said tube.

12. Apparatus for feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus com prising spaced means for engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel, said engaging means being spaced by such distance as to provide desired relative positions of said tube and said mandrel when they are both engaged by said means.

13. Apparatusfor feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus comprising spaced means for engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel, said engaging means being spaced by such-distance as to provide desired relative positions-bf said tube and said mandrel when they are both engaged by said means, and means for adjusting the. space between said engaging means.

14. Apparatus for feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus comprising two spaced members for engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel,

respectively, the space between said members being such as to provide a predetermined longitudinal relation between said tube and said mandrel when said members are in simultaneous engagement therewith.

15. Apparatus for feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus comprising two spaced members for engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel, respectively, the space between said members being such as to provide a predetermined longitudinal relation between said tube and said mandrel when said members are in simultaneous engagement therewith, and means for actuating said spaced members toward said cross-rolls.

16. Apparatus for feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus comprising two spaced members for engaging the trailing ,ends of said tube and said mandrel, respectively, the space between said members being suchas to provide a predetermined longitudinal relation between said tube and said mandrel when said members are in simultaneous engagement therewith, and means for adjusting the space between said members to provide for different relative positions of the ends of said tube said cross-rolls.

18. Apparatus for feeding a tube and a mandrel therein to cross-rolls, said apparatus comprising a feed table having grooved rollers for supporting thereon a tube and a mandrel in alignment with said cross-rolls, and means comprising members spaced longitudinally of said table for engaging the upper side of said mandrel to retain it and said tube on said grooved rollers and for engaging the trailing ends of said tube and said mandrel to actuate them in substantially predetermined relation into said cross-rolls.

AUGUST P. DESCHER. 

